Picture frame hanger

ABSTRACT

Present invention discloses a new upper-hook-section and lower-anchor-section hanger that overcomes the drawbacks of conventional upper-anchor-section and lower-hook-section hanger of prior art, as well as the drawbacks of upper-hook-section and lower-anchor-section hangers of U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,833 previously issued to author of present invention. Present invention also discloses a new dual-hooks hanger that has upper-hook-sections and lower-anchor-sections. Present invention also discloses a means for preassembling nail within hanger prior to mounting hanger to wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present invention relates to a wall-mounted hanger for hanging a picture frame or the like.

A conventional picture frame hanger typically consists of an anchor section and a hook section. In prior art, the anchor section is typically located in the upper part of hanger, which has a lateral projectile for receiving nail and guiding the nail to enter into wall in inclined position, such as a vertical 45 degree angle. The hook section is typically located in the lower part of hanger, which has a U hook for receiving the hanging wire of picture frame. Nail is anchored in wall in inclined position in order to prevent hanger from swiveling, pivoting, loosening or detaching from wall. The upper-anchor-section and lower-hook-section arrangement of prior art enables user to install hanger by holding the lower hook section while hammering the nail into wall from the upper anchor section. However, such an arrangement of prior art has a major drawback.

During hanging a picture frame onto a wall-mounted hanger, user can hardly see the hanger while holding picture frame against wall and hanger in an attempt to engage the hanging wire of picture frame to U hook. Therefore, user must firstly hold and position picture frame slightly above the hanger in order to see and identify the location of hanger, and then slide the picture frame downward against wall until the hanging wire catches U hook. Unfortunately, because lateral projectile of anchor section is located in the upper part of hanger directly above U hook, lateral projectile blocks the entrance of U hook. As a result, engaging the hanging wire to U hook frequently takes time and repeated trial effort. In some cases, user may mistakenly hang the hanging wire over the top of lateral projectile rather than U hook. As a result, picture frame is unstably hung over the hanger, and may easily fall off from hanger. All picture frame hangers of prior art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,675,281, 3,226,065, 2,137,837, 2,454,813, 2,940,712, and 5,267,719, inherit this drawback.

In U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,833, author of present invention discloses a new type of picture frame hanger that has anchor section located in the lower part of hanger directly below U hook. In another word, the lateral projectile, which guides the nail to enter into wall in inclined position, is located directly below U hook without blocking the entrance of U hook. As a result, user can easily engage the hanging wire directly to U hook, and can't possibly hang the hanging wire over the lateral projectile by mistake.

However, the new type of hanger disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,833 also has some drawbacks. First, U hook and lateral projectile are provided with an equivalent size. As a result, an extensively long nail is required for anchoring hanger onto wall. Second, U hook is provided with a relatively large width. As a result, when picture frame is hung onto wall, clearance between the back side of picture frame and wall surface, which is equivalent to the width of U hook, also increases. It is understood that picture frame is preferably to be hung onto wall without clearance or with a minimum clearance.

One object of present invention is to provide an upper-hook-section and lower-anchor-section hanger that does not inherit the above drawbacks. This object is achieved by reforming the lateral projectile, so that lateral projectile is provided with a size much smaller than the size of U hook. As a result, a relatively short nail can be used for anchoring hanger onto wall. Because the size of U hook is capable of being reduced to a minimum size, a minimum clearance between the back side of picture frame and the wall is maintained when picture frame is hung onto wall.

It is commonly acknowledged in the field that picture frame can hardly be maintained in balance and in level once it is hung over a single U hook. It is evidenced that picture frame can only be maintained in balance and in level if it is hung over a pair of U hooks apart by a sufficient distance and positioned in level. Therefore, another object of present invention is to provide a hanger that has dual-hooks apart by a sufficient distance and positioned in level, and such a hanger is also arranged with upper-hook-sections and lower-anchor-sections.

It is also commonly acknowledged in the field that, because picture frame hanger is a relatively small part, picture frame hanger is hardly provided with an adequate nail hammering area for striking nail into wall without striking U hook, or an adequate finger landing area for holding hanger with fingers while striking nail into wall without striking fingers. Obviously, by providing a hanger with dual-hooks apart by a sufficient distance, such a hanger is always provided with adequate nail hammering area and finger landing area.

In prior art, anchor section is formed by a lateral projectile with a size large enough to guide nail to enter into wall in inclined position, but small enough to allow the hanging wire of picture frame to bypass it prior to engaging it to the U hook directly below. Clearly, the lateral projectile of prior art does not and can't have a size large enough to hold nail in inclined position within lateral projectile prior to mounting hanger to wall. Therefore, during mounting hanger to wall, user must hold both hanger and nail while hammering nail into wall in inclined position. Another object of present invention is to provide a hanger that not only has an upper-hook-section and lower-anchor-section arrangement, but also has an extended anchor section capable of holding and preassembling the nail in anchor section in inclined position. As a result, during mounting hanger onto wall, user only needs to hold hanger without holding nail while hammering nail into wall in inclined position. This feature is not available in prior art, but is important for facilitating easy installation of hanger to wall.

Finally, another object of present invention is to provide a hanger with a combination of an upper-hook-section and lower-anchor-section arrangement for engaging the hanging wire of picture frame directly to U hook, a dual-hooks arrangement for maintaining picture frame in balance and in level, and an extended anchor section for holding and preassembling nail within anchor section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of present invention is to provide a picture frame hanger with an anchor section in the lower part of hanger for guiding nail into wall in inclined position, and a hook section in the upper part of the hanger for receiving the hanging wire of picture frame.

Another object of present invention is to provide such an upper-hook-section and lower-anchor-section hanger with a means for preventing the anchored nail in the lower part of hanger from being tipped off or pulled out from wall upon loading the weight of picture frame to the upper part of hanger.

Another object of present invention is to provide a picture frame hanger capable of maintaining picture frame in balance and in level once picture frame is hung onto the hanger.

Another object of present invention is to provide a picture frame hanger with adequate nail hammering area and finger landing area for facilitating easy mounting of hanger to wall.

Another object of present invention is to provide a picture frame hanger capable of preassembling nail in anchor section in inclined position prior to mounting hanger to wall.

Another object of present invention is to provide a picture frame hanger that does not pivot or swivel about the anchored nail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective elevation view and a cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of picture frame hanger of present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective elevation view of the second preferred embodiment of picture frame hanger of present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective elevation view of the third preferred embodiment of the picture frame hanger of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective elevation view and a cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of picture frame hanger 1 of present invention. Picture frame hanger 1 comprises of a base plate 2, and a hanger body 3 integrally connected to base plate 2. A substantially U-shaped hook 4 is formed by a top vertical section 5 of base plate 2, a top platform 6 of hanger body 3, and an incline plate 7 of hanger body 3 projected upwardly and outwardly. Clearly, top opening 8 of U-shaped hook 4 for receiving a hanging wire of picture frame (not shown) has a width much greater than the width of bottom closed end 9 of U-shaped hook 4 for retaining the hanging wire of picture frame.

An inclined through hole 10 is provided across the widths of hanger body 3 and base plate 2 for receiving a nail 11 and guiding nail 11 into wall 12 in inclined position. As a result, hanger 1 is capable of being anchored to wall 12 without a possibility of swiveling or pivoting about the inclined nail 11. Clearly, through hole 10 is provided with a sufficient longitudinal length capable of holding nail 11 in place, so that user can preassemble nail 11 within hanger body 3 prior to placing hanger 1 against wall 12 for mounting it to wall 12. It is understood that nail 11 can be held within through hole 10 by friction, or alternatively by covering the nail exit 14 with a tangible thin cover (not shown). Nail 11 is capable of penetrating through such a tangible thin cover and entering into wall 12 upon striking nail 11 with a hammer. As a result, during mounting hanger 1 to wall 12, user only needs to hold base plate 2 in lieu of both base plate 2 and nail 11. This facilitates easy mounting of hanger 1, and allows user to easily hammer nail 11 into wall in inclined position. Such a feature is not available in prior art.

It is important to note that the hook section or U-shaped hook 4 is provided in the upper part of hanger 1, and the anchor section or nail 11 is provided in the lower part of hanger 1 directly below U-shaped hook 4. As a result, while mounting picture frame onto the picture frame hanger 1, user may firstly hold picture frame slightly above hanger 1 to identify the location of hanger 1, and then slide the picture frame downward against the wall until the hanging wire of picture frame catches U-shaped hook 4. The previously described drawback of the conventional upper-anchor-section and lower-hook-section hanger of prior art is therefore eliminated,

FIG. 1 shows that the lower part of hanger body 3 or the anchor section of hanger 1 is formed by a substantially box-shaped lateral projectile having a uniform width much smaller than the width of top opening 8 of U-shaped hook 4. As a result, a relatively short nail (as compared to the extensively long nail of U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,833) can be used for anchoring hanger 1 to wall, Also because the size of U-shaped hook 4 can be reduced to a minimum size, a minimum clearance between the back side of picture frame and the wall can be achieved once picture frame being hung onto hanger 1.

It is important to note that, even though hanger 1 is a relatively small part, top section 5 or bottom section 13 of base plate 2 provides an adequate finger landing area for user to hold it against wall during mounting hanger 1 to wall 12. Bottom section 13 of base plate 2 extends downwardly below the entry point 14 where nail 11 exits from hanger 1 and enters into wall 12. As a result, bottom section 13 of base plate 2 prevents nail 11 form being tipped off or pulled out of wall 12 upon loading of picture frame. Hanger body 3 also provides a strong base and an adequate nail hammering area for hammering nail into wall without damaging U-shaped hook 4 or hanger 1.

Picture frame hanger 1 as shown in FIG. 1 is a molded piece made from plastic injection molding. But according to the above detailed description of hanger 1, it is easily understood that hanger 1 can also be formed by continuous bending of a metal strip, or any other method. The configuration of hanger 1 formed by continuous bending of a metal strip may be slightly different from the configuration shown in FIG. 1. However, such variation is considered within the scope of present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective elevation view of the second preferred embodiment of picture frame hanger 15 of present invention. Picture frame hanger 15 comprises of a base plate 16, a first hanger body 17 integrally connected to base plate 16 adjacent to the left side edge of base plate 16, and a second hanger body 18 integrally connected to base plate 16 adjacent to the right side edge of base plate 16. Hanger bodies 17 and 18 are identical to hanger body 3 of FIG. 1. For simplicity and clarification purpose, author of present invention does not intend to repeatedly identify all the assembling parts in FIG. 2 by numbering. Clearly, hanger 15 is a dual-hooks hanger provided with a first substantially U-shaped hook 19 and a second substantially U-shaped hook 20, which are identical to U-shaped hook 4 of FIG. 1. Each of U-shaped hooks 19 and 20 has a top opening for receiving a hanging wire of picture frame (not shown), and a bottom closed end for retaining the hanging wire of picture frame. Clearly, the width of top opening is much greater than the width of bottom closed end. U-shaped hooks 19 and 20 are positioned in level at base plate 16, so that, upon mounting hanger 15 horizontally to wall, hanger 15 is capable of hanging a picture frame in balance and in level. Inclined through holes 21 and 22 are provided in hanger bodies 17 and 18 respectively for receiving nails (not shown) and guiding nails into wall in inclined position. As a result, hanger 15 can't possibly swivel or pivot about the inclined nails upon mounting hanger 15 to wall by the inclined nails.

Each of through holes 21 and 22 has a sufficient longitudinal length capable of holding nail in place, so that user is able to preassemble nail within the hanger body prior to placing hanger 15 against wall for mounting it to wall. It is understood that nail can be held within through hole 21 or 22 by friction, or alternatively by covering the nail exit location with a tangible thin cover.

Nail is capable of penetrating through such a tangible thin cover and entering into wall upon striking nail with a hammer.

It is important to note that, even though U-shaped hooks 1 9 and 20 are relatively small parts, base plate 16 provides an adequate finger landing area for user to hold base plate 16 against wall by one hand while hammering nail into wall by another hand. Hanger bodies 17 and 18 also provide strong bases and adequate nail hammering areas for hammering nails into wall without damaging U-shaped hanger 15, or hooks 19 and 20.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective elevation view of the third preferred embodiment of the picture frame hanger 23 of present invention. Picture frame hanger 23 comprises of a base plate 24, a first hanger body 25 integrally connected to base plate 24 adjacent to the left side edge of base plate 24, a second hanger body 26 integrally connected to base plate 24 adjacent to the right side edge of base plate 24, a first and second lateral projectiles 27 and 28 integrally connected to base plate 24 in the central area of base plate 24. Hanger bodies 25 and 26 are identical to hanger body 3 of FIG. 1 with one exception. The exception is that no through hole is provided in either of hanger bodies 25 and 26. Hanger 23 is a dual-hooks hanger provided with a first substantially U-shaped hook 29 and a second substantially U-shaped hook 30, which are identical to U-shaped hook 4 of FIG. 1. Each of U-shaped hooks 29 and 30 has a top opening for receiving a hanging wire of picture frame (not shown), and a bottom closed end for retaining the hanging wire of picture frame. Clearly, the width of top opening is much greater than the width of bottom closed end. U-shaped hooks 29 and 30 are positioned in level at base plate 24, so that, upon mounting hanger 23 horizontally to wall, hanger 23 is capable of hanging a picture frame in balance and in level. Inclined through holes 31 and 32 are provided in lateral projectiles 27 and 28 along their inclined longitudinal axes 33 and 34 respectively for receiving nails (not shown) and guiding nails into wall in inclined position. As a result, hanger 23 can't possibly swivel or pivot about the inclined nails while hanger 23 being mounted to wall by the inclined nails. Each of through holes 31 and 32 has a sufficient longitudinal length capable of holding nail in place, so that user is able to preassemble nail within the hanger body prior to placing hanger 23 against wall for mounting it to wall. It is understood that nail can be held within through hole 31 or 32 by friction, or alternatively by covering the nail exit location with a tangible thin cover. Nail is capable of penetrating through such a tangible thin cover and entering into wall upon striking nail with a hammer.

It is important to note that the top ends or free ends of lateral projectiles 27 and 28 are at a level below the internal side of the bottom closed ends of U-shaped hooks 29 and 30, and they are apart from base plate 24 by a width smaller than the width of top opening of U-shaped hooks 29 and 30. As a result, upon mounting picture frame to hanger 23, user may firstly hold picture frame slightly above hanger 23 to identify the location of hanger 23, and then slide the picture frame downward against wall until the hanging wire of picture frame catches U-shaped hooks 29 and 30. Also because U-shaped hooks 29 and 30 can be formed to a minimum size, a minimum clearance between the back side of picture frame and the wall can be achieved while picture frame being hung onto hanger 23.

It is important to note that base plate 24 provides an adequate finger landing area for user to hold base plate 24 against wall by one hand while hammering nail into wall by another hand. Because sufficient distance is provided between U-shaped hook 29, lateral projectiles 27, lateral projectile 28, and U-shaped hook 30, hanger 23 provides adequate nail hammering areas for hammering nail into wall without damaging hanger 23, or U-shaped hooks 29 and 30.

It is understood that the above preferred embodiments are intended for demonstrating the scope of present invention. They are subjected to variations or modifications without exceeding the scope of present invention. For example, when hanger 23 of FIG. 3 serves under light loading condition, hanger 23 can he provided with a single lateral projectile in lieu of dual projectiles 27 and 28 without exceeding the scope of present invention. For another example, shapes or forms of U-shaped hooks or lateral projectiles of the above preferred embodiments are subjected to changes without exceeding the scope of present invention. 

1. A picture frame hanger comprising of a base plate, a lateral projectile integrally connected to said base plate, and a nail for anchoring said picture frame hanger to a wall, wherein: said base plate and said lateral projectile form a substantially U-shaped hook that has a top opening end located at the highest elevation of said picture frame hanger for receiving a hanging wire of a picture frame, and a bottom closed end for retaining said hanging wire within an internal side of said bottom closed end; said lateral projectile is provided with through hole that is located sufficiently below said top opening of said U-shaped hook for receiving said nail and guiding said nail into said wall
 2. A picture frame hanger comprising of: a base plate, a first lateral projectile integrally connected to said base plate adjacent to a first vertical side of said base plate, a second lateral projectile integrally connected to said base plate adjacent to a second vertical side of said base plate, and a pair of nails for anchoring said picture frame hanger to a wall, wherein: said first and second lateral projectiles are positioned in level at said base plate; said base plate and said first lateral projectile form a first substantially U-shaped hook that has a top opening end located at the highest elevation of said picture frame hanger for receiving a hanging wire of a picture frame, and a bottom closed end for retaining said hanging wire within an internal side of said bottom closed end; said base plate and said second lateral projectile form a second substantially U-shaped hook that has a top opening end located at the highest elevation of said picture frame hanger for receiving said hanging wire of said picture frame, and a bottom closed end for retaining said hanging wire within an internal side of said bottom closed end; and each of said first and second lateral projectiles is provided with a through hole that is located sufficiently below said top opening of said U-shaped hook for receiving said nail and guiding said nail into said wall.
 3. A picture frame hanger comprising of: a base plate, a first lateral projectile integrally connected to said base plate adjacent to a first vertical side of said base plate, a second lateral projectile integrally connected to said base plate adjacent to a second vertical side of said base plate, a lateral projectile integrally connected to said base plate adjacent to a central area of said base plate, three nails for anchoring said picture frame hanger to a wall, wherein: said first and second are positioned in level at said base plate; said base plate and said first lateral projectile form a first substantially U-shaped hook that has a top opening end located at the highest elevation of said picture frame hanger for receiving a hanging wire of a picture frame, and a bottom closed end for retaining said hanging wire within an internal side of said bottom closed end; said base plate and said second lateral projectile form a second substantially U-shaped hook that has a top opening end located at the highest elevation of said picture frame hanger for receiving said hanging wire of said picture frame, and a bottom closed end for retaining said hanging wire within an internal side of said bottom closed end; and each of said first, second and third lateral projectiles is provided with a through hole that is located sufficiently below said top opening of said U-shaped hook for receiving said nail and guiding said nail into said wall. 4-5. (canceled)
 6. The picture frame according to claim 1, in which, said through hole is an inclined through hole.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The picture frame according to claim 2, in which, said through hole is an inclined through hole.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The picture frame according to claim 3, in which, said through hole is an inclined through hole.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The picture frame hanger according to claim 1, in which, one end of said through hole for exiting said nail from said lateral projectile is located immediately adjacent to said internal side of said bottom closed end of said U-shaped hook.
 13. The picture frame hanger according to claim 2, in which, one end of said through hole for exiting said nail from each of said first and second lateral projectiles is located immediately adjacent to said internal side of said bottom closed end of said U-shaped hook.
 14. The picture frame hanger according to claim 3, in which, one end of said through hole for exiting said nail from each of said first and second lateral projectiles is located immediately adjacent to said internal side of said bottom closed end of said U-shaped hook. 